‘I was bullied for my moustache, now I’m a winner’

A man who was once mocked for his facial hair has claimed victory at the World Beard and Moustache Championships.

Lewis Aylmer, from Hull, attended the competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and placed first in the Under 15cm Full Beard with Styled Moustache category.

The now 33-year-old was 12 when he first started growing facial hair and had a 4.5in (11.4cm) goatee by 17.

“When I was in school, I used to get called all sorts of names. It got bad with the bullying, we’d get in to fights,” he said.

Mr Aylmer grew back a beard and moustache after leaving the army reserves, where he sometimes had to shave twice a day.

It “snowballed” three years later when he heard about competitive bearding and he went on to place third at the 2016 British Beard and Moustache Championships before winning national titles in 2018 and 2024.

More than 400 competitors took part in the 2025 World Championships between 3 and 5 July.

Mr Aylmer explained that judges were looking for a handlebar-style moustache with big curls and perfect symmetry.

He used three different waxes to keep his moustache in place for an entire day, along with oils to maintain the health of his beard.

Next year, he’ll be defending his British title and is looking ahead to the 2027 World Beard and Moustache Championships in Blackpool.

“People stop me in the street for photos,” Mr Aylmer said. “I’m so used to it now because I’ve had it over 10 years, it’s just become part of me.”

Mr Aylmer said his championship wins had helped him deal with anxiety.

“I feel like it’s actually helped me get a bit more confidence in myself,” he said.

“Going up on stage, talking to people and meeting new people – they’ve helped me… which has been a fantastic thing.”

He described everyone in the competition community as “always so friendly and welcoming”.

“When you’re there, you just feel like you’re long lost friends,” he added.